Last Updated on December 16, 2021
Flaxseed for horses seems to be good for everyone, from horses to dogs to people! For horses, flaxseed is a great overall supplement that supports a naturally healthy coat, supports and encourages a healthy immune system, and is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids that encourage weight gain.
Flaxseed supplements are a common additive to a horse’s daily grain or oat meals. They provide a healthy boost to any type of horse, from backyard trail horses to top-level sporthorses. Because of the vast range of the market for flaxseed supplements, there are many companies that produce them.
Flaxseed For Horses Diet
There are varieties in types of flaxseed supplements. They can come in pellet, powder, or oil forms, they can come in large or small quantities, and they can come as pure flaxseed or a combined supplement. It is sometimes common for flaxseed to be mixed with soybeans, as the two ingredients yield similar results.
In this article, I will be reviewing the top flaxseed supplements available for easy purchase on Amazon. These include Manna Pro Simply Flax 8Lb, UltraCruz Flax Oil Blend Supplement for Horses and Livestock 1 Gallon, Wholistic Pet Organics Flax Seed Oil Supplement 64 Fl. Oz, Horse Guard Flaxen-Flow 100% Flax Seed Oil, AniMed FSO Flax Seed Oil, Horse Guard Glow 10Lb. 50% Extruded Soy 50% Flax Cake, and First Companion Flaxseed Oil Omega 3 &6 Fatty Acid Supplement Horse Equine 1 Gallon.
Choosing Flaxseed For Horses
Manna Pro Simply Flax 8Lb Flaxseed For Horses
Manna Pro Simply Flax 8Lb is a great flaxseed supplement option for your horse. It is a powdered supplement (i.e.- ground flaxseed) that is easy to mix in with a horse’s meals and causes little mess or cleanup time.
The 8Lb option stays fresh for an entire year after purchase, meaning that the 8Lb purchase should be the only purchase you need to make all year- talk about convenient! The recommended dosage is 8 ounces daily, so 4 ounces per meal, if your horse eats the standard two meals a day.
With free delivery and a low price, it’s easy to see why many people use Manna Pro Simply Flax. The only inconvenience could be that the container it comes in is a little heavy! Purchase Manna Pro Simply Flax 8Lb from Amazon.
Pros | Cons |
-affordable | -heavy |
-minimal cleanup | |
-yearly purchase |
UltraCruz Flax Oil Blend Supplement for Horses and Livestock
The UltraCruz Flax Oil Blend Supplement is also a great flaxseed supplement option. It isn’t 100% raw flax; instead, it contains cold-pressed flaxseed oil and soybean oil, and it is a liquid supplement.
Both of these characteristics may be red flags for some buyers, as liquid supplements can be messy and 100% flax is sometimes more sought after than a combination. But, this supplement will still give your horse the omega-3 acids that will boost its immune system and keep his feet and coat healthy.
The 1-gallon container weighs just over 7 pounds and should last for a few months. It is slightly more pricey (in terms of how long it should last) than the Manna Pro Simply Flax. It may need to be purchased a couple of times a year, depending on how often it is used. Purchase the UltraCruz Flax Oil Blend Supplement for Horses and Livestock on Amazon.
Pros | Cons |
-provides omega 3 fatty acids | -liquid supplement |
-not pure flax | |
-must be purchased every few months |
Wholistic Pet Organics Flax Seed Oil Supplement 64 Fl. Oz
The Wholistic Pet Organics Flax Seed Oil Supplement is the perfect option for horse-owners who want to supplement multiple types of animals with flaxseed! This product is best suited for use on horses and dogs.
Wholistic Flax Seed Oil is 100% natural and organic cold-pressed flaxseed oil. It, like the others, provides omega 3 fatty acids, in addition to omega 6 fatty acids. It will encourage an extremely healthy coat in both horses and dogs.
The 64oz option’s longevity will depend on how many animals you are using it on. If just one, it should last about as long as the UltraCruz Flax Oil Blend Supplement. It sells for a higher price point than the UltraCruz or the MannaPro, most likely due to its organic ingredients. Purchase the Wholistic Pet Organics Flax Seed Oil Supplement 64 Fl. Oz. on Amazon.
Pros | Cons |
-organic ingredients | -expensive |
-used on dogs and horses | -messy, requires clean-up |
-provides omega 3 and 6 fatty acids |
Horse Guard Flaxen-Flow 100% Flax Seed Oil
Horse Guard Flaxen-Flow is another great option for equine flaxseed supplements. It is a 100% pure cold-pressed flaxseed oil supplement. It also includes omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids that will help boost a horse’s natural coat and hoof health.
The unique thing about Horse Guard Flaxen-Flow is its packaging. Though it is an oil supplement, it comes packaged in a plastic bag with a nozzle at the bottom. Open the nozzle, and out comes the flax oil! Images of this design are available on the Amazon ad.
The bag it comes in weighs 8 pounds and is 3 liters. It will last about the same amount of time (a few months) as the UltraCruz and the MannaPro. Its price puts it above the UltraCruz and the MannaPro, but underneath the Wholistic Pet Organics. Purchase the Horse Guard Flaxen-Flow 100% Flax Seed Oil from Amazon.
Pros | Cons |
-unique design decreases mess | -expensive |
-pure flaxseed |
AniMed FSO Flax Seed Oil For Horses
The AniMed FSO Flax Seed Oil is also a great flaxseed supplement for horses. AniMed is a reputable equine nutrition and supplement brand, proficient in making all different kinds of horse supplements.
This particular supplement contains, as can be expected, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, contained in a combination of soybean oil and flaxseed oil. So, it is a combined supplement, which can be a deterrent for some customers.
But, it can be a propellent for others, depending on what you are looking to add to your horse’s diet. The Animed FSO Flax Seed Oil price puts it above the MannaPro and the UltraCruz, but below the Wholistic Pet Organics and the FlaxenFlow. Purchase the Animed FSO Flax Seed Oil horse supplement from Amazon.
Pros | Cons |
-reliable brand | -expensive |
-messy |
Horse Guard Glow 10Lb. 50% Extruded Soy 50% Flax Cake
The Horse Guard Glow is the Horse Guard brand’s version of a combined flax supplement. It includes soy oil as well as flax “cakes.” The exact ingredients include 50% extruded whole soybeans and 50% flaxseed meal.
This supplement comes in a granular, pellet-type consistency, versus the Horse Gard Flaxen Flow which comes in oil. It is strong in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, as all of the other supplements are.
The Horse Guard Glow comes in a 10lb bag that will likely last a few months. Its costs, less than the AniMed FSO, puts it in the middle ground for pricing in the supplements listed so far.
Pros | Cons |
-reasonably priced | -heavy |
-provides omega 3 and 6 fatty acids |
First Companion Flaxseed Oil Omega 3 &6 Fatty Acid Supplement Horse
First Companion Flaxseed Oil is also a combined supplement that includes organic cold-pressed flaxseed oil and soybean oil. Both, again, are strong in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, that will enhance a horse’s coat and hoof health, as well as encouraging a healthy immune system.
This supplement is an oil supplement and should last a few months with the gallon size. Although it seems much like the other supplements reviewed thus far, it has a low review of one out of five stars on Amazon. Reading these reviews may help you understand why it is ranked so low.
The First Companion Flaxseed Oil price makes it the second most expensive supplement under review. Purchase the First Companion Flaxseed Oil Supplement from Amazon.
Pros | Cons |
-provides omega 3 and 6 fatty acids | -expensive |
-bad reviews | |
-heavy |
Conclusion
There are many, many options when picking the best flaxseed supplement for your horse! Many horses use flaxseed supplements, so it only makes sense that many companies produce them. Depending on your horse’s situation and your budget, I’m sure you’ll find the perfect match!
I hope this article helped introduce you to the most popular flaxseed supplements available for purchase on Amazon. If you found it helpful, please share this article, and share with us your experiences with these supplements or other supplements in the comments!
FAQs
Does flaxseed put weight on horses?
Flaxseeds are an excellent source of energy and are high in proteins and essential fatty acids. This high fat content may help skinny horses gain weight. Flaxseed may also increase the absorption of minerals and vitamins in the digestive tract. It's a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation. Flaxseed is often recommended for horses with digestive problems.
In conclusion, flaxseed has many health benefits and may help horses gain weight. However, not all horses respond to flaxseed in the same way. It's best to talk to your veterinarian about your horse's diet before adding any supplements.
Is flaxseed toxic to horses?
No, flaxseed is not toxic to horses. The seeds of the flax plant are used as a dietary fiber supplement in human and animal diets. It is commonly known by its trade name, linseed. Linseed oil is also commonly used as a dietary supplement for humans and animals.
Flaxseed has been used as a source of fiber in horse feeds for many years. Its beneficial effects include: improving the structure and function of the intestinal wall, which can reduce digestive problems such as colic. It may also help horses with sensitive stomachs.
What is flaxseed oil good for in horses?
Flaxseed oil is often recommended for horses. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to the health of our bodies and the well being of our horses. Flaxseed oil is great for your horse’s coat, skin, and hooves. Flaxseed oil is also beneficial in the treatment of arthritis and joint inflammation, as well as some forms of colic.
Flaxseed oil can be used internally or externally, depending on the type of oil you purchase. Flaxseed oil can be applied topically, mixed with a carrier such as olive oil or almond oil, rubbed into the coat, and added to the feed. Flaxseed oil is very stable at room temperature and does not go bad easily but still has to be stored in a cool, dark place.
Can horses digest whole flaxseed?
Flaxseed can be fed whole to horses, but it is not a common practice. The reason for this is that most horses do not have the enzymes necessary to break down the seed coat, which makes it hard for them to digest. It may also cause an upset stomach.
How do you prepare flaxseed for horses?
Normally flaxseed used as a feed supplement comes in the form of a high-protein pellet that is ground up. This makes it more palatable to horses than whole flaxseed, which tends to be very fibrous and somewhat bitter. If you're looking for a source of fiber for your horse, you can buy flaxseed that has been ground into meal. There are also some products available that contain ground flaxseed as the primary ingredient. These types of products are sometimes called "flaxmeals" and tend to be formulated to mimic the nutrition of flaxseed pellets. They usually contain other ingredients to help mask the unpleasant taste and texture of ground flaxseed.
How much flaxseed oil should I give my horse?
The starting point would be a daily feeding rate of 30ml to 70ml of oil. This is a perfect amount for general health and conditioning and it will help your horse adjust to the oil slowly. Flaxseed oil is a concentrated source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help support a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation in your horse's body. As long as the oil is fed every day, you should see the results within a few weeks.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.